3 Prospects That Can Help the Edmonton Oilers This Season

A few key prospects in the Edmonton Oilers system are ready to make an impact with the NHL club. It’s just a matter of when they’re going to get that chance to prove it, especially with the obvious holes in the Oilers lineup.

After a “tougher” road trip then Edmonton Oilers’ fans would’ve liked to see, some of the team’s imperfections are starting to shine brighter. Showing that they are in fact, far from perfect.

Down in the AHL with the Oilers affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors, things are looking up. The team is currently 6-4-1 and are 5th place in the Western Conference. Without top guys like Stuart Skinner and Ryan McLeod, who were both recently called up to the Oilers.

Both Skinner and McLeod have showed (what I believe), that they’re ready for the NHL. Neither of the two losses for Skinner were really his fault. McLeod has looked better every game, while also scoring his first career goal on Sunday in St. Louis.

Later in the season, I believe to see some important prospects being called up to help solidify the Edmonton Oilers roster.

#1 Philip Broberg

The 20 year old defenseman has been one of the best on the Bakersfield Condors this season. He currently has 0 goals and 9 assists through the clubs first 12 games.

It seems like the smooth skating Swede is getting accustomed to the North American style of play in his first season in the AHL.

One of the Oilers biggest issues is the defensive side of the puck. Broberg may be more of an offensive style defenseman, but his elite skating and transition play can only benefit the Oilers at this point. Especially in a 3rd pairing role, and with the left side being  a little weaker.

#2 Dylan Holloway

Holloway was drafted 14th overall in 2020 and actually hasn’t even played an AHL game yet. He put together two impressive years with the University of Wisconsin, where he put up 52 points in 58 games. (35 points his sophomore year)

Holloway is still recovering from off-season wrist surgery, which is unfortunate because I think all Oilers fans were excited to see him in pre-season action. Rumours are he will be joining the Condors sometime soon after the New Year.

The 6’1″, 203 lb winger/centre is exactly what the Edmonton Oilers are missing right now. An energy guy that’s hard on pucks, isn’t afraid to throw his weight around and can play in both ends of the rink.

The Oilers top six is very skilled offensively but it lacks that energy and grittiness that some team’s possess. It was very noticeable in Tuesday’s loss to Winnipeg, who played a playoff style game.

#3 Dmitri Samorukov

This one might be a little more of a stretch than the first two, but like I said before, the left side of the Oilers defense is weak.

I believe both Broberg and Samorukov can come in and play better than Kris Russel or Slater Koekoek.  At the very least, the two youngsters can battle for the 6th spot.

Samorukov is another guy who was injured around training camp and missed an opportunity to prove his skills. He broke his jaw in a pre-season game and was out for about 6 weeks before re-joining the Condors.

The Russian defender is one of those players that changed his game from junior to pro. A much more offensive player with the Guelph Storm of the OHL, but has turned into a solid defender for the Bakersfield Condors over the last couple of seasons.

In reality..

Ken Holland has never been one to rush prospects into the NHL. Jay Woodcroft and the coaching staff in Bakersfield has done an excellent job with prospects the last few seasons.

Woodcroft has developed notable players such as  Kailer Yamamoto, Evan Bouchard, Ethan Bear, and Caleb Jones, who have all made that jump to become full-time NHL players.

We may not see any of these prospects in an Oilers jersey until at least next season, but one can dream it comes sooner, rather than later!